Means for driving generators placed upon cars by power taken from the cars.



No. 69|,359. Patenteii Jan. 21, I902.

J. L.'CREVEL|NG. MEANS FOR DRIVING GENERATORS PLACED UPON CARS BY POWER TAKEN FROM THE CARS.

(Application filed. May 10, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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MEANS FOR DRIVING GENERATORS PLACED-UPON CARS BY POWER TAKEN FROM THE (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. CREVELING, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

MEANS FOR DRIVING GENERATORS PLACED UPON CARS BY POWER TAKEN FROM THE CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. $91,359, dated January 21, 1902. Application filed May 10, 1901. Serial No. 59,604. (No model.)

To rtZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN L. OREVELING, of New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Driving a Generator Placed Upon a Car by Power Taken from the Car, of which the following is a complete specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide means for driving a generator placed upon a car in one direction regardless of the direction of motion of the car by power taken from an axle of the car.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I illustrates a generator and my preferred form of driving means applied to a car-body, the axle and other portions of the car-body and a part of the driving mechanism being shown in section. Fig. II is a side elevation of part of the driving mechanism illustrated in Fig. I. Fig. III is a partial view corresponding to that shown in Fig. I, showing a modified form of the subject-matter of Figs. I and II. Fig. IV is a view similar to Fig. II, illustrating the subject-matter of Fig. III, partially in section and partially in elevation. Fig. V is a diametrical section of one of the pulleys as used upon the armature-shaft, the shaft being shown in elevation. Fig. VI is a view taken partially in section and partially in elevation of the pulley shown in Fig. V, as on the line A B, Fig. V.

Referring to the numerals on Figs. I and II, 1 indicates any suitable style of dynamo or generator, the one illustrated being shown as provided with an extension 2, which may contain a regulating device for properly regulating the output of the generator. This regulator constitutes no part of my present invention and is merely referred to as descriptive of the style of generator illustrated.

3 indicates the generator-shaft, and 5 a separate shaft coupled thereto in coaxial alinement therewith, as by a coupling 6.

The generator 1 is shown as suspended from the car-floor 4, from which is also suspended the shaft 5, as in the bearing of a suitable pendant-support 7. The shaft 5 carries two pulleys 8 and 9, each adapted to engage it when revolved in a certain direction-as, for instance, the direction indicated by the arrows on the drawingsand to run loosely upon the shaft if revolved in the opposite direction.

11 indicates a portion of the car-truck,l2 the car-wheel, and 13 its axle, to which is secured a fixed pulley 11, which is preferably split.

15 indicates a cross-piece which is attached, preferably, to the two safety-sills of the truck at a suitable distance above the center of the axle 13. It is provided with arms 16 and 17, through apertured heads 18 and 19 in the opposite extremities of each of which are inserted rods 20, which are free to move in said apertures in a vertical direction. The rods 20 are firmly united, as by a cross-piece 22, from which projects upwardly the fixed central stem 23, about which is coiled a spring 24. The spring 24 is inclosed by an externallythreaded sleeve 25, which is screwed into threaded apertures in the cross-piece 15 and in the arms 16 and 17, respectively.

26 indicates a jam-nut by which the position of the sleeve in its threaded aperture when adjusted may be fixed. At its upper extremity the sleeve is provided with an internal edge or annular flange 27, which bearing against the end of the spring 24 affords means for controlling the compression of the spring, the other end of which is seated against the crosspiece 22. 28 and 29 indicate, respectively, pulleys mounted on suitable journals provided for them on the respective extremities of the rods 20.

30 indicates an endless belt, which being bent about the peripheries of the pulleys 14 and S and 9, respectively, bears upon the faces of the pulleys 28 and 29, respectively, and is held taut upon the several pulleys by the action of the spring 24:.

It is to afford convenient means of applying the belt 30 that the coupling 6 is provided, since by the opening of the connection between the shafts 3 and 5 and by sliding the coupling 6 along either shaft the belt maybe readily placed in position without cutting it or separating its ends.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that if the pulleys'8 and 9 are arranged so as to engage the shaft 5 only when revolved in the direction indicated by the arrows, the axle 13, and consequently the pulley 14, being revolved in a right-handed direction, the pulley 9 will serve as a fast pulley, causing the armature-shaft 3 also to revolve in a righthanded direct-ion, while the pulley S will act as a loose pulley and have a motion contrary to that indicated by the arrow-mark thereon. Should the axle 13 be revolved in a left-handed direction, the pulley 8 will serve as a tight pulley and, revolving in the direction as shown by the arrow, will cause the armature to revolve right liandedl y, as before, while the pulley 9 will revolve as a loose pulley in a left-handed direction.

The tension upon the belt 30 can be regulated, of course, by means of the spring 24, which will also serve to take up any stretch in the belt or any difference in the relations between the shaft 13 and the shaft 5, owing to the play of the car upon its springs. It should also be observed that regardless of the direction in which'the car may be running the tight side of the belt always runs directly between the dynamo-pulley and the drivingpulley 14, thus having the benefit of the accumulative action of the belt, which of course it would not have if the belt passed over the idlersthat is, the pulleys 28 and 29before transmitting the power to the shaft.

If preferred, a single large pulley might be substituted for the pulleys '28 and 29. This modification is illustrated in Figs. III and IV of the drawings, in which the belt 30, passing around the driving-pulley 14 upon the axle 13 and about the pulleys 8 and 9, of which the latter only is illustrated in those figures, passes around a single large idler 32. The pulley or idler 32 is preferably split to facili tate its being placed about the axle 13, and is provided with a sleeve 34, having a hub or boss 33. To the hub 33 are secured supporting-rods 35, which correspond to the rods 20. The same numerals are employed in Figs. III and IV as in Figs. I and II, except in designating the pulley 32 and the parts directly connected thereto, since those are the only parts which are different in the two sets of figures. Theextensive diameter of the sleeve 34 affords room for vertical motion, both of the axle 13 and pulley 32.

As above specified, I prefer that form of embodiment ofmy invention in which two pulleys are used instead of one, inasmuch as the employment of the two makes it necessary to change only one pulley upon the axle when changing the wheels of the car. It may be also noted that I prefer to have the faces of the pulleys 28 and 29 extend below the axle 13, since this avoids the necessity of splicing the belt around the car-axle.

It has been specified that the pulleys 8 and 9 are such as are adapted, when revolved in one direction, to engage the shaft and when revolved in the opposite direction to run loosely thereon. The particular construction which I prefer to employ for accomplishing that result is clearly illustrated in Figs. V and VI of the drawings. In those figures one of the pulleys-for example, the pulley 9--is shown as provided upon opposite sides with conical ball-races for the reception of balls 39 and 40. The balls 39 run in a race provided for them in a sleeve 41, that is secured to the shaft 5, as by a set-screw 42. The extremity of the sleeve 41 opposite the set-screw 42 is reduced and screw-threaded, as indicated at 43, to accommodate a cone 44, by which the balls 40 are confined operatively in position. The cone 44 is screwed on the threaded extremity 43 of the sleeve 41 and is adapted to be fixed in adjusted position, as by a lock-nut 45. The sleeve 41 carries a flange 46, having a peripheral extension 47 and an annular shoulder 48' projecting therefrom toward the web 49 of the pulley. Surrounding the shoulder 48 and secured to the web 49, as by screws, (not illustrated,) but which pass through holes 50 into the web 49, is a cam-ring 51, whose inner face opposite the shoulder 48 is providedwith a series of spiral wedge-shaped'cavities 52. Foursuch cavities 52 are illustrated in Fig. VI of the drawings, and within each of them is provided a ball, (indicated, respectively, for the purposes of distinction by the reference-numerals 53, 54, 55, and 56.) The illustration of the location of the dilferent balls is made with a view of explaining their respective operations. Referring, accordingly, to Fig. VI, if the pulley 9 be rotated in the direction indicated by the full-lined arrow the ball 55 being gripped between the wall of its cavity 52 and the shoulder 48 would cause the shaft 5 to revolve with the pulley 9. If, however, the pulley were revolved in the opposite direction, as indicated by the dotted arrow, the ball 55 would merely roll betweensaid cam-wall and the shoulder 48 until it assumed a position corresponding, say, to that of the ball 54, when it would fall clear of the flange entirely, and after further revolution in the same direction would finally assume the position occupied by ball 56 against the abutment 57, defining the end of the cavity 52. Continued rotation of the pulley would cause the ball to drop against the shoulder 48, as shown by the position of the ball 53. The illustration and description of Fig. VI is intended to explain the action of each ball during the rotary movement of the pulley. Each of the balls acts independently; but one at least would always bein operative contact between the wall of the cavity 52 and the shoulder 48 when the pulley is being revolved left handedly-that is, in the direction indicated by the dotted arrowat slow speed or when the pulley were at rest. If the pulley were revolved as a loose pulley at any appreciable speed, then of course it would not be desii able to have any connection between it and the shaft, and at such times centrifugal force holds all four balls in the position occupied by the ball 56, thus avoiding all unnecessary wear between the parts while the pulley is running at high speed. As soon as the speed drops sufficiently to approximate the limits of the range wherein it might be desirable for the pulley to grip the shaft the balls drop down upon the shoulder -18 at least once during each revolution of the pulley.

It should be observed with reference to the illustration made in Figs. V and VI that if the generator tend to run as a motor in the same direction as that in which it is driven when supplying current it will be free to do so, because each pulley will then be loose upon its shaft. Consequently the chance of damage caused by excess current which would follow were the motor to be stalled and the connection between the generator and battery left completed, as by some accident to the main switch, is obviated.

What I claim is- 1.- The combination with a car or the like and its axle, constituting a driving-shaft, and a pulleyon the axle, of a driven shaft, as of a generator, a pair of pulleys on said shaft adapted to run, respectively, in one direction, loose thereon, and in the opposite direction fast thereto, a belt upon said pulleys, and means for always presenting the taut side of the belt between the driving-pulley and the driven pulley.

2. The combination with a car and its axle, constituting a driving-shaft, and a pulley thereon, of a driven shaft, as of a generator, a pair of pulleys on said shaft adapted, respectively, to run, in one direction loose and in the other direction fixed thereto, an idlerpulley carried by the car and having its face extending below the axle, and a belt operatively uniting the several pulleys and idler.

3. The combination with a car and its axle, constituting a driving-shaft, and a pulley thereon, of a driven shaft, as of a generator, a pair of pulleys thereon adapted to run, respectively, in one direction loose upon the shaft, and in the other direction fast thereto, a spring-actuated idler-pulley carried by the car and having its face extending below the axle, and a belt operatively uniting the several pulleys and idler.

4. The combination with a car and its axle, constituting a driving-shaft, and a pulley thereon, of a driven shaft, as of a generator, a pair of pulleys thereon adapted to run, respectively, in one direction loose upon the shaft, and in the other direction fast thereto, a spring-actuated idler-pulley carried by the car and having its face extending below the axle, a belt operatively uniting the several pulleys and idler, and means for controlling the tension of the actuating-spring.

5. The combination with a car and its axle, constituting a driving-shaft, and a pulley thereon, of a driven shaft, as of a generator, a pair of pulleys thereon adapted to run, respectively, in one direction loose upon the shaft, and in the other direction fast thereto, arms provided with apertures, rods working in said apertures, a cross-piece uniting the rods, a spring exerting tension against the cross-piece, a pair of idlers upon the rods upon opposite sides of the axle, and a belt bent about the several pulleys and the idlers.

6. The combination of a car and its axle,constituting a driving-shaft, a driven shaft and pulleys thereon, an idler, and a belt bent around the several pulleys and idler, the pulleys on the driven shaft comprising a web and hub, a sleeve, secured to the shaft upon which the hub is revolubly mounted, a flange provided with a shoulder and extension upon the sleeve, a cam-ring provided with a plurality of spiral wedge-shaped cavities secured to the pulley about the shoulder, and balls mounted in the cavities, respectively, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN L. CREVELING.

Witnesses:

F. E. KESSINGER, C. A. MOICUNE. 

